Bits and pieces of my life. I am a lifelong Christian. I have been married for over 39 years to Stan. No children. We have 3 Italian Greyhounds: Persephone, Dresden & Capodimonte and a calico cat named Binky. We have 9 nieces/nephews and 9 grandnieces/nephews whom we love. My hobbies are genealogy, reading, digital scrapbooking, history, dogs, homemaking. This is a personal blog and not a business. I share what interests me and I am not selling anything or making a profit.

Sunday, April 26, 2015

Wilford William Reese - Where He Came From
W.W. Reese was born 5/1/1911 somewhere in North Carolina. He never knew exactly where he was born. After his death, I asked one of his sisters and she didn't know either. It was somewhere in Western NC mountains. His parents were Bailey Bright Reese (DOB 1/26/1878 in Joe, Meadow Fork, Spring Creek township, Madison County, NC to William Hanes Reese and Rebecca "Becky" Lunsford; DOD 12/10/1949 in Marion, McDowell County, NC; Buried Oak Grove Cemetery, Rutherford Road, Marion, McDowell County, NC) and Lillian "Lily" Vianna Conner (DOB 1/9/1887 in Marshall, Madison County, NC to Mack Coy Conner and Margaret Alice Ensley; DOD 1/15/1984 in Marion, McDowell County, NC).

Margaret Alice Ensley Conner and Mack Coy Conner.
Mack Coy Conner's father was Erwin McCoy Conner. Erwin McCoy Conner was Mack Coy Conner's and Lillian Vianna Conner Reese's paternal grandfather. He left a large farm in Henderson County, NC to fight in the War of Northern Aggression, C.S.A. NC 25th Infantry Regiment, Co. A, Private. He died of fever.

NC Troops, A Roster, McCoy Conner, Volume VII, Page 359

U.S. Civil War Soldiers Records and Profiles
McCoy Conner, Residence: Henderson County, NC, Enlisted 3/14/862 at 22 yrs old as Private, Did not survive the War, DOB about 1840, Mustered out on 7/4/1862 in Hospital at Wilson.

Lily said she and Bailey met in Marshall probably at church although she didn't remember for sure. She knew that his mother and her mother knew each other. She said she was born and raised in Madison County and lived there all her life until she married Bailey. She said everyone wanted Bailey Bright and she didn't know why he chose her to marry. He was 9 years older than she was. Lillian said Bailey had gone to work in Knoxville, TN and came home one Saturdays. He stopped at one of her sister's houses. Meanwhile she and another sister had gotten into a tiff and so Lily took a walk and walked to her sister's house and happened to see Bailey on his way home. He took the opportunity to ask her to marry him. They walked home and were married at her home that evening, 12/5/1905, Joe, Madison County, NC. She said she was just wearing an old skirt and calico blouse. He would travel to Knoxville, TN on the train from Hot Springs.
Bailey Bright Reese

7) Mabel Kelith Tobiatha Reese (DOB 4/21/1919 in Transylvania County, NC; DOD ? in ? ) married 1st Walter Baird Phillips (DOB 4/1/1917 in Madison County, NC; DOD 4/18/2004 in Asheville, Buncombe County, NC). They had David Larry Phillips. Mabel left her husband and son and they divorced in 1947. We think she remarried at least one more time (Lucinger?) and possibly more. For awhile she kept in touch with occasional letters. The last one was from Los Angeles, CA and then she disappeared. She was an alcoholic. As far as I know, no one has found out what happened to her. If anyone has any information on Mabel, please contact me at Mom25dogs@gmail.com. Her family would love to know what happened to her. Her first husband and their son have passed away but there are others who would like to have the mystery solved.

As far as I know, the only time they left the mountains (other than trips) was when he got a job a Beaumont Mfg Co., a cotton mill in Spartanburg, SC. They lived at 148 Fairview Avenue, Spartanburg, Spartanburg County, SC (there is now no "148" as the house numbers on Fairview Ave run in the 400-500's so I don't know which house it was. Fairview Avenue is at 34.965141 , -81.924019 ). They had their first child, Minnie Louesta and Lillian gave birth to their second child, Paul McCoy Reese, in July, 1909 in Spartanburg. But just a month later, in August, 1909, Estie became sick with what Great Grandmother Reese called the "summer complaint". Their little 2 yr old died of Ileocolitis. Ileocolitis is the most common type of Crohn's disease. It affects the small intestine, known as the ileum, and the colon. People who have ileocolitis experience considerable weight loss, diarrhea, and cramping or pain in the middle or lower right part of the abdomen.

SC State Board of Health Physician's Certificate Transportation of Corpse for Estie Reese
Name of Deceased: Estie Reese, DOD 8/13/1909
Hour of Death 10pm, Age 2 years
Place of Death 148 Fairview Avenue, Beaumont
Cause of Death Illeocolitis
I hereby certify that the above is true to the best of my knowledge and belief. A.W. Leonard MD or Coroner, Residence: Spartanburg, SC, County of Spartanburg
This permit must be properly signed, and with the Physician's Certificate presented to the Railroad or Express Agent before a body can be shipped. In the City of Spartanburg, SC County of Spartanburg, State of SC on the 13 day of August 1909
Permission is herby given J.F. Floyd holder of Embalmer's License No. 2 to remove for burial at Hot Springs in the County of Madison and State of NC the body of Estie Reese who died at Spartanburg, SC, County of Spartanburg, State of SC on the 13 day of Aug 1909 Aged 2 years.
B.B. Reese is hereby authorized to accompany said remains. Signed H.C. Health Officer or Sec'y Board of Health"

They were asked if they would allow an autopsy but back then, desecrating a body was serious business. God made the body and, unless absolutely necessary, we should treat a body with respect as God's creation. So it was considered morbid and desecration. They refused and decided to bring her body back to be buried in the NC mountains they called home. They never went back. Their son, Uncle Paul, said his Daddy never got over the death of his first little girl and carried that grief. They moved back to Hot Springs, Madison County, NC in 1909.

B.B. was listed as a laborer in a lumber yard in the 1910 U.S. Census. B.B. had a team of mules named Alec and Dinah that he used to haul lumber to the lumber yard when he worked in Hot Springs.

1910 U.S. Census of Hot Springs, Madison County, NC, Roll T624-1107, Pg 2A, ED 80, Image 250, Lines 41-43, Dwelling 29, Family 31, "Reese, Baily B." Ancestry.com has him indexed as "Baily B. Russe"
Reese, Baily B., Head, M(ale), W(hite), 32 yrs old, First Marriage, Married 4 yrs, Born in NC, Father born in NC, Mother born in NC, Laborer in Lumber yard for wages, Can read and write, rents home
Reese, Lillie, Wife, F, W, 23 Yrs old, First marriage, Married 4 yrs, 2 children with 1 still living, Born in NC, Father born in NC, Mother born in NC, Can read and write
Reese, Paul, Son, M, W, 9/12 mos old, Born in NC, Father born in NC, Mother born in NC

Paul McCoy Reese is the toddler and Wilford William Reese is the baby. Notice the back drop of a crazy quilt. Wonder if Great Grandmother Reese made that crazy quilt?

My Granddaddy was their third child, born in 1911. Their fourth child (1913) was born in Madison County and their fifth (1915), sixth (1917) and seventh (1919) children were born in Rosman, Transylvania County, NC. So they moved to Rosman between 1913-1915. Rosman became something of a boomtown between the 1910s and 1950s. During those years, the town, driven by leather and lumber industries, was arguably Transylvania County’s commercial center. Of course, now it's a tiny dot on the map. I've visited it with my husband and my parents. It has a nice little park by the river.

In Rosman, Bailey was a Lumber Inspector in the lumber yard by the river. I found a photo of the Gloucester Lumber Mill in Rosman, NC in 1918 which would have been about the time B.B. Reese was working as a Lumber Inspector.

This was the Hayes Gap train wreck that occurred in 1917 when B. B. Reese and family were living in Rosman.

The Gloucester Lumber Mill Company Store. It's very probable that the Reese family shopped in this old general store. It was built in 1910 and served as a community hub before it closed some 70 years later (1980).

Bailey Bright was ordained 8/26/1917 at Zion Baptist Church in Rosman, NC. He married Grandmother and Granddaddy. After his ordination to the ministry, Bailey worked in churches on the weekend in Transylvania County and preached to chain gangs during the week. His other public speaking was limited. Years later, he was suppose to help his son, Paul, with a funeral for a child but it was too much for him and Paul did it virtually by himself after all.

Great Grandmother told a story that might have a bearing as to why my Granddaddy became a Baptist minister, besides his Daddy being ordained in the Baptist ministry.

We have to go back a little further.
William Reese (aka Preacher Billy Reese) was a Baptist minister who married Mary Jane Freeman. Her father was also a Baptist minister and mentored William Reese (aka Preacher Billy). They were well known preachers of little mountain churches.
William Reese (aka Preacher Billy) had a large family of 13 children who survived to adulthood. One was Green Hill Reese and another was Patterson Reese. Green Hill Reese was their second child and 21 years later, Patterson Reese was their last child.
Green Hill Reese had William Hanes Reese who then had Bailey Bright Reese.
Patterson Reese had Arcemus Reese.
This means that Bailey Bright Reese and Arcemus Reese were cousins but about the same age. (See photo above of the two of them.)
Arcemus became a Baptist evangelist.
Lillian Conner Reese said she remembered when Arcemus Reese (son of Patterson Reese) came to do a revival and stayed with them. She said he preached "awful" against smoking. The next morning he went to town and got her some candy. He offered it to her and she declined because she had snuff in her mouth. He asked her if she didn't hear his sermon the night before and she said that she heard him preach against smoking cigarettes, pipes and tobacco but she didn't remember him preaching against snuff. She would still chuckle over that. She said she was always close to Patterson Reese's family because they lived close and they went to church together. She was close to his children and spoke very highly of Arcemus. She said her Dad, Mack Coy Conner, thought a lot of Arcemus too. Arcemus rode the train to preach at their church. Arcemus had a singer with him. They stayed with Lily and Bailey Bright Reese in their house. Lily said she washed and ironed many a shirt for him. She remembered that Arcemus had a married son and the wife wanted a better home so Arcemus mortgaged his own home so his son could build a bigger and better home. Arcemus and his son both lost their homes. (Great Depression?) Lillian said that Arcemus wrote her a long letter after Bailey died and that was the last she heard from him.
Having ancestors who were well known Baptist ministers in those mountains; his father being ordained; and, this visit from his father's cousin, Rev. Arcemus Reese... was it any surprise that two of the Reese children would become Baptist ministers themselves, Paul and Wilford?

Bailey Bright Reese was also a Justice of the Peace.

1920 U.S. Census of Rosman-Taxamany Road (couldn't find this road, was it Old Toxaway Rd?), Eastatoe, Transylvania, NC, Roll T625-1321, Pg 9A, ED 188, Image 522, Lines 20-27, Dwelling 158, Family 154, "Reece, Bailey B." (sic)
Reece, Bailey B., Head, Owns Farm, M(ale), W(hite), 41 yrs old, Married, Can read and write, Born in NC, Father born in NC, Mother born in NC, Laborer at Lumber Mill for wages
Reece, Lillie, Wife, F, W, 38 yrs old, Married, Can read and write, Born in NC, Father born in NC, Mother born in NC
Reece, Paul, Son, M, W, 10 yrs old, Attends school, can read and write, Born in SC, Father born in NC, Mother born in NC
Reece, Willfred (sic, should be Wilford), Won, M, W, 8 yrs old, Attends school, Born in NC, Father born in NC, Mother born in NC
Reece, Bufort (sic, should be Buford), M, W, 6 yrs old, Born in NC, Father born in NC, Mother born in NC
Reece, Allie, Daughter, F, W, 4 3/12 mos old, born in NC, Father born in NC, Mother born in NC
Reece, Gertrude, Daughter, F, W, 2 6/12 mos old, Born in NC, Father born in NC, Mother born in NC
Reece, Mabell (sic, should be Mabel), 8/12 mos old, Born in NC, Father born in NC, Mother born in NC

B.B. was such a kind hearted and gentle man. His rather passive nature contrasted with Lillian's, and they often had conflicts. One source of contention was Bailey's tendency to sell their cow when they needed extra cash. That meant no milk for the children. Lillian would strong arm him into going out and buying another cow.

When W.W. was living in Rosman, a Dr. English wanted to adopt him. He lived nearby and his wife died. Wilford looked after him and helped Dr. English. He would take meals that Lillian Conner Reese made for the doctor. All the children had the measles and the Dr. came every day. When they got ready to move to Andrews, Dr. English came and asked Lillian to let W.W. stay with him. He would send him to school and let him learn music. W.W. wouldn't stay and his parents wouldn't let him either.

Granddaddy started elementary school in Rosman, NC. He went to 1-3 grades in Transylvania County. Granddaddy was born in 5/1911 so he must have started 1st grade in the Fall of 1916 and he would have finished the 3rd grade in May, 1919. Then they moved to Andrews, Cherokee County, NC and lived there at least 11 years before moving again (1919-1930). In Andrews, they lived in a large 2 story house with double porches that Lillian loved. It was in Andrews that he sold the house to get out of debt against her wishes. They rented a large house with a barn style roof and the rent was more than the house payment had been. That and selling her milk cow was something she was still mad about many years later.

Bailey was a deacon at the First Baptist Church, 1606 Business 19, Andrews, Cherokee County, NC. Here are some photos of Bailey Bright Reese's Bible.

My Granddaddy and his older brother, Paul, graduated from Andrews High School, 50 High School Drive, Andrews, Cherokee County, NC on 5/24/1927. Graduating from high school back then was a big deal! They were probably the first in their Reese/Conner families that graduated from high school. Education was very important to my Granddaddy and his family as you will see. His high school diploma is HUGE! I had it framed along with a photo of his graduating class and his graduation announcement. Their school flower was the pink rose so I included a pink rose.
Granddaddy is second from the right and Uncle Paul is 4th from the left.

Paul McCoy Reese and Wilford William Reese

Paul McCoy Reese on left, Wilford William Reese in center, Unknown on right.

1930 U.S. Census of Main St, Valleytown, Andrews, Cherokee County, NC, Roll 1681, Pg 3A, ED 9, Image 450.0, Lines 31-40 , Ancestry.com has him indexed as "Baily B. Rusa"
Reece, Bailey B., Head, Rents home, $25, M(ale), W(hite), 53 yrs old, Married at age 22, Born in NC, Father born in NC, Mother born in NC, Lumber Inspector for wages
Reece, Lilly, wife, F, W, 43 yrs old, Married at age 19, Born in NC, Father born in NC, Mother born in NC
Reece, Paul, Son, M, W, 20 yrs old, Single, Can read and write, Attends school, Born in SC, Father born in NC, Mother born in NC
Reece, Wilford, Son, M, W, 18 yrs old, Single, Attends school, Can read and write, Born in NC, Father born in NC, Mother born in NC
Reece, Buford, Son, M, W, 16 yrs old, Attends school, Can read and write, Born in NC, Father born in NC, Mother born in NC
Reece, Allie, Daughter, F, W, 14 yrs old, Attends school, Can read and write, Born in NC, Father born in NC, Mother born in NC
Reece, Gertud (sic, should be Gertrude), Daughter, F, W, 12 yrs old, Attends school, Can read and write, Born in NC, Father born in NC, Mother born in NC
Reece, Mabel, Daughter, F, W, 10 yrs old, Attends school, Can read and write, Born in NC, Father born in NC, Mother born in NC
Reece, Clifford, Son, M, W, 8 yrs old, Attends School, Born in NC, Father born in NC, Mother born in NC
Reece, Grace, Daughter, F, W, 4 5/13 mos old, Does not attend school, Born in NC, Father born in NC, Mother born in NC

W.W. played the piano and was in a quartet with his older brother, Paul. He had the natural talent to play the piano. Some of his children, grandchildren and great grandchildren would also have this natural talent for the piano.

A funny story that his sister, Margaret Alice Reese Young, told was when he was in high school. His mother made his boxer shorts from flour sacks. Margaret heard the other brothers and sisters teasing W.W. and when she went to see what all the hullabaloo was about, she said that one of the pair of boxer shorts had "Morgan's Mill Get your grinding done here". She said Wilford was so mad and refused to wear them. He was too dignified for that kind of tomfoolery.

The family moved to Bluff in Madison County, NC sometime after Granddaddy and Uncle Paul graduated in 1927 and after the 1930 U.S. Census. Their house was on Bluff Road (209 towards Hot Springs, NC, turn left on Bluff Rd). It was probably here that things got tough on the family. Great Grandmother Reese told of how they would make a paste and wallpaper the house with newspaper to try to keep the house warm and keep out the drafts. In the summer, they peeled the paper off and washed the paste off the walls so they could have ventilation.

B. B. had to move his family to seek work in the textile mills because much of the woodlands in the NC mountains was declared national park land, greatly impacting the lumber business. That, over cutting and the Great Depression, affected the lumber industry and therefore affected jobs. The Great Depression (1929-1941) caused their family to move to Marion, McDowell County so his father could get a job in the Clinchfield Mill. Bailey Bright Reese became the nigh watchman. Other members of the family took jobs in the mill too including my Granddaddy. In fact, it's where he met my Grandmother, Geneva Margaret Lamb.

Clinchfield cotton mill, Marion, McDowell County, NC (2006)

It was not an easy time, not only because of the Great Depression, but the Unions and strikes were something they had to navigate and live through too. Benjamin Stolbert, "Madness In Marion", Nation, October 23, 1929, p. 463, commented on the mill village surrounding the Marion Manufacturing and Clinchfield Mills were described by another source as being "among the worst examples of company towns in the South."

Twelve hour shifts, wages of $8-10/week, "stretch out", unsanitary and/or unsafe work conditions, rules like not paying a new worker for the first 30 days of work were all part of the problem between employers and employees. Sinclair Lewis spent a summer in Marion, NC and wrote about the awful situations the workers faced. Dilapidated housing, poor nutrition, the cycles of debt to the company that never ended. There were strikes and violence. People who joined the Union were apt to be fired on the spot and kicked out of their mill house. Times were so hard that this was devastating to workers but the conditions were bad at the mill too. The workers were between a rock and hard place. I wish I could ask my Granddaddy and Grandpa Reese how the family managed to navigate through those times.

Bailey Bright Reese

Bailey Bright Reese and Lillian Conner Reese on the porch of their house in the Clinchfield mill village,

The house that Bailey Bright and Lillian Conner Reese lived in 1277 Virginia Road, Marion, NC. It was in the Clinchfield mill village. While they lived there they had the use of a communal pasture for their cow.

Lillian "Lily" Vianna Conner Reese, aka Grandmother Reese

Charles Bailey Reese (son of Paul McCoy Reese) told that B.B. had back trouble and walked humped. One day he was taking a calf on a rope out and the calf jumped a ditch dragging B.B. after him. This seemed to help his back and may have realigned his spine. Joe Edgar Young, Jr said he remembers B.B. gathering the grandchildren around and told a story about a black panther that scared him.

They were a members of Clinchfield Baptist Church, 1150 East Court Street, Marion, McDowell County, NC.

Lily told how she remembered him sitting in his rocking chair reading his Bible or his "Biblical Recorder". How he would fall asleep until the Bible fell and woke him up, then he would pick it back up and try to read some more.

Their granddaughter and my Mother, Eleanor Elaine Reese Huneycutt would visit them and she remembered Grandmother Reese having Jewel Tea dishes. Eleanor has a large collection now because it brings back childhood memories.

Lily Reese standing at the door of their house.

Bailey Bright and Lily Reese were living with their daughter and her husband, Trudy and Rass Young at 1235 Virginia Rd when Bailey Bright died.

He was drinking a cup of coffee that morning and said he had trusted God all his life and was perfectly willing to trust Him from now on. "If we gonna go, let's go." While his oatmeal was waiting, he got sick in the bathroom. He had a stroke. He lingered for a time but didn't recover. He died at the age of 71 yrs old.

Great Grandmother Reese would spend the rest of her life living with her sons and daughters, rotating. She died 36 years later at the ripe old age of 97.

Meanwhile, Granddaddy and his older brother, Paul, had an agreement. Wilford would work a year at the mill and pay Paul's tuition for a year in college at Mars Hill. Wilford worked at Clinchfield Mill in Marion, NC. Paul also worked at Mars Hill to supplement his expenses. He worked in the cafeteria at Mars Hill. He would scramble all the eggs for breakfast and made turkey and dressing for dinners. When Paul's year was up, he was suppose to reciprocate for W.W. to go to college. But when Paul came home from college, he was engaged to be married which meant he wouldn't be able to work to pay W.W.'s way to college the next year. Meanwhile Wilford met Geneva while working at them mill. He knew her for 3 months when Paul broke up with his fiance. Wilford took Ginnie for a ride in a borrowed car while it was raining. He asked Gennie to marry him quickly before Paul could get engaged again. This was during the Depression and both sons couldn't leave at the same time. The family needed everyone to pitch in help make ends meet. Gennie accepted him and they got married 12/30/1933.
This is Grandmother and Granddaddy close to the time they got married (maybe even the day they got married).

Grandmother Lillian Vianna Conner Reese lived to be 97 years old and died 1/15/1984 in Marion, McDowell County, NC. She was a widow for 35 years.

***************************************************************Geneva Margaret Lamb Reese - Where She Came From
Geneva Margaret Lamb was born 2/14/1915 in Grassy Creek in Tennelina near Hot Springs, Madison County, NC to John Edward Lamb (DOB 5/22/1882 in Cedar Creek, Greene County, TN to Elbert Sevier Lamb and Nancy Margaret Melinda Ricker; DOD 2/27/1939 in Marion, McDowell County, NC) and Noda Vesta Miller (DOB 11/6/1887 in Shut In Creek, Madison County, NC to Anderson "Ance" Miller and Cynthia Hickam; DOD 1/26/1919 in Hot Springs, Madison County, NC). John Edward Lamb and Noda Vesta Miller were married 10/9/1904 in Hot Springs, Madison County, NC.

Grandmother's birth certificate

Noda and Ed Lamb had a total of 6 girls with 5 of them older than Gennie.

Noda Vesta Miller was born to Anderson "Ance" Miller (DOB 11/1834 in Buncombe County, NC to William Miller and Mary Ann Glance; DOD 3/1907 in Madison County, NC) and Cynthia Hickam (DOB 11/1841 in Buncombe County, NC to Jacob Hickam, Jr and Sarah "Sallie" Hunter; DOD 10/12/1929 in Madison County, NC).

Ance Miller served in the C.S.A., NC 60th Infantry Regiment, Co. B, Drummer in Private Out from 5/1861 until 12/1863 when he was mustered out and given a license to be a Confederate liquor maker from 1864-5/1865.

NC Troops 1861-1865, A Roster, Vol XIV, Infantry, 57th-58th, 60th-61st Regiments, by Weymouth T Jordan, Jr, Raleigh, NC Div of Archives & History, 1998, Pg 519
"Miller, Anderson, Private
Enlisted in Madison County at age 26, 4/5/1862. Mustered in as musician (Drummer). Wounded above left eye and right thumb shot off at Murfreesboro, TN, December 31, 1862. Reported absent wounded or absent sick through 4/30/1863. Returned to duty in May-June, 1863. Reported present in July-Oct, 1863. Deserted on 12/21/1863. [May have served later as Private in Company H, 2nd Reg TN Mounted Infantry (Union)]." (Note: He didn't desert as he was made a licensed Confederate liquor maker. So his military experience shifted from soldier to supplier.)
U.S. IRS Tax Assessment Lists, 1862-1918, database on Ancestry.com
Per the State of North Carolina, liable to a tax under the Excise laws of the United States, and the amount thereof as assessed by Pinckney Rollins Assistant Assessor, and by W.W. Anderson, Assessor, returned to the Collector of said district for the month of June, 1866 Monthly
Line 10, Miller, Anderson, of Warm Springs, Madison County, NC, No. in Abstract 41, Article or Occupation is "Distiller of Spurts" (sic, spirits), Quantity or valuation 5 mo, Rate of Tax 25, Amount of Tax per Article 10.42, Total 10.43

1880 U.S. Census of Pine Creek, Madison County, NC, Roll T9-971, Family History Film 1254971, Pg 95.3000, ED 129, Image 0360, Lines 4-12, Dwelling 61, Family 61, "Miller, Anderson"
Miller, Anderson, W(hite), M(ale), 45 yrs old, Head, Married, Farmer, Can read and write, Born in NC, Father born in NC, Mother born in NC (DOB would have been 1835)
Miller, Scyntha (sic), W, F, 36 yrs old, Wife, Married, Keeping House, Born in NC, Father born in TN, Mother born in NC (DOB would have been 1844)
Miller, Robert, W, M, 18 yrs old, Son, Single, Farm Laborer, Born in NC, Father born in NC, Mother born in NC (DOB would have been 1862)
Miller, Sarah, W, F, 15 yrs old, Daughter, Single At Home, Born in NC, Father born in NC, Mother born in NC (DOB would have been 1865)
Miller, Orry, W, F, 12 yrs old, Daughter, Single, At Home, Born in NC, Father born in NC, Mother born in NC (DOB would have been 1868)
Miller, George, W, M, 10 yrs old, Son, Single, At Home, Born in NC, Father born in NC, Mother born in NC (DOB would have been 1870)
Miller, Hester, W, F, 6 yrs old, Daughter, Born in NC, Father born in NC, Mother born in NC (DOB would have been 1874)
Miller, Carrie, W, F, 4 yrs old, Daughter, Born in NC, Father born in NC, Mother born in NC (DOB would have been 1876)
Miller, Florrence (sic), W, F, 1 yrs old, Daughter, Born in NC, Father born in NC, Mother born in NC (DOB would have been 1879)

1900 U.S. Census of Hot Springs, Madison County, NC, Roll T623-1205, Pg 17B, ED 82, Pg 39, Lines 60-62, Dwelling 313, Family 323, indexed as "Miller, Andersen" (sic)
Miller, Andersen, Head, W(hite), M(ale), Born Nov, 1834, 65 yrs old, Married 40 yrs, Born in NC, Father born in NC, Mother born in NC, Farmer, Owns farm, Can read and write
Miller, Cyntha (sic), Wife, W, F, born May, 1841, 59 yrs old, Married 40 yrs, 9 children with 8 still living, Born in NC, Father born in NC, Mother born in NC, can read and write
Miller, Noda, Daughter, W, F, Born Nov, 1885, 14 yrs old, Single, Born in NC, Father born in NC, Mother born in NC, can read and write

Noda was the baby of 9 children: William Robert Miller, Sarah Jane Miller, Ora Catherine Miller, George Clinton Miller, Hester Miller, Carrie Miller, Florence Miller, Iowa Miller, Noda Vesta Miller. Noda was a great horsewoman and had her own saddle horse. Aunt Pearl, Noda's oldest daughter, had married Dewey Roberts in May, 1916 at the age of 13 years old and they had baby Edna Roberts 9/8/1917. She, Dewey and the new baby were living in a bottom beside a river. It came up a storm and Great Grandmother Noda rode her horse down the mountain to warn Aunt Pearl about flash floods. She got there in time, Pearl grabbed the baby and her new hat off the table and ran out the back and up the hill with her mother. Sure enough, her house was swept away but Pearl and her baby were saved. Noda was what you might call a mountain aristocrat. She supposedly was very clean and a fine looking woman.

Nancy Margaret Melinda Ricker was the daughter of Susan Ann Ricker (Susannah Ricker) and unknown. She had no siblings. The family story is that Susan Ann was raped by a Native American and Nancy was the product. Susannah did not marry until after Nancy was grown when Susan married Edward M. Nolen. Susan and Nancy lived with Susan's parents, John K. Ricker and Mary Delilah Lyles Ricker, until Nancy Margaret Melinda Ricker married Elbert Sevier Lamb on 8/31/1864.

Ed Lamb's father was Elbert Sevier Lamb, the son of Rev. John Rollins Lamb and Sara Ann Ealey. I could not find military records for Elbert Sevier Lamb. I found an E.S. Lamb that may have been in although it wouldn't be consistent with the Regiment's organization. I have found his name as Elbert Lewis Lamb and I need to research that name to see if I find service under that name.

1880 Census of Pine Creek, Madison County, NC, Roll T9_971, Family History Film 1254971, Pg 93.4000, ED 129, Image 0357, Lines 44-50, Dwelling 41, family 41, “Elbert Lamb”
Elbert Lamb, W(hite), M(ale), 34 yrs old, Married, Farmer, Born in TN, Father born in NC, Mother born in TN
Nancy Lamb, W, F, 28 yrs old, Wife, Married, Keeping House, Born in TN, Father born in TN, Mother born in TN
Robert Lamb, W, M, 8 yrs old, Son, Single, Born in NC, Father born in TN, Mother born in TN
May Lamb, W, F, 5 yrs old, Daughter, Single, Born in NC, Father born in TN, Mother born in TN
Susan Lamb, W, F, 3 yrs old, Daughter, Single, Born in NC, Father born in TN, Mother born in TN
Sarah Lamb, W, F, 1 yr s old, Daughter, Single, Born in NC, Father born in TN, Mother born in TN
John Lamb, W, M. 68 yrs old, Father, Widowed, Without occupation, Born in NC, Father born NC, Mother born in NC

1900 Census of Civil District 18, Greene County, TN, Roll T623_1573, Pg 9B, ED 48, Lines 64-71, Dwelling 162, Family 164, “Ell* S. Lamb” Ancestry.com has him indexed thus
Elbert S. Lamb, Head, W(hite), M(ale), Born Feb, 1846, 54 yrs old, Married 29 yrs, Born in TN, Father born in TN, Mother born in TN, Farmer, rents farm, can read and write
Nancy M. Lamb, Wife, W, F, Born March, 1851, 49 yrs old, Married 29 yrs, 9 children with 9 still living, Born in TN, Father born in TN, Mother born in TN
Robert E. Lamb, Son, W, M, Born December, 1871, 28 yrs old, Single, Born in NC, Father born in TN, Mother born in TN
John E. Lamb, Son, W, M, born May, 1883, 17 yrs old, Single, Born in NC, Father born in TN, Mother born in TN
Benjamin P. Lamb, Son, W, M, Born Aug, 1886, 13 yrs old, Single, Born in NC, Father born in TN, Mother born in TN
Nathan B. Lamb, Son, W, M, Born June, 1889, 10 yrs old, Born in TN, Father born in TN, Mother born in TN
Minnie R. Lamb, Daughter, W, F, Born August, 1892, 7 yrs old, Born in NC, Father born in TN, Mother born in TN
Tennie S. Lamb, Daughter, W, F, Born August, 1892, 7 yrs old, Born in NC, Father born in TN, Mother born in TN

1910 Census of Civil District 3, Greene County, TN, Roll T624_1501, Pg 5B, ED 69, Image 388, Lines 51-55, Dwelling 65- Family 65, “E.S. Lamb”
E.S. Lamb, Head, M(ale), W(hite), 64 yrs old, First marriage 40 yrs, Born in TN, Father born in NC, Mother born in TN, Farmer rents farm, can read and write
Nancy M. Lamb, Wife, F, W, 57 yrs old, First marriage, married 40 yrs, born in TN, Father born in TN, Mother born in TN, Cannot read or write
Ben P. Lamb, Son, M, W, 23 yrs old, Single, Born in NC, Father born in TN, Mother born in TN, Farm Laborer
Tenne S. Lamb, Daughter, F, W, 18 yrs old, Single, Born in NC, Father born in TN, Mother born in TN
Minnie R. Lamb, Daughter, F, W, 18 yrs old, Single, Born in NC, Father born in TN, Mother born in TN

1920 Census of Civil District 25, Greene county, TN, Roll T625_1742, Pg 5A, ED 94, Image 187, Lines 43-50, Dwelling 88, Family 92, “Benjamin P. Lamb”, Ancestry.com has him indexed as Benjamin O. Lamb because that's what it looks like.
Benjamin O. (sic) Lamb, Head, Owns home free of mortgage, M(ale), W(hite), 34 yrs old, Married, Can read & write, Born in NC, Father born in TN, Mother born in TN, Farmer of general farm
Cardelia (sic) A. Lamb, Wife, F, W, 36 yrs old, Married, Can read & write, Born in TN, Father born in TN, Mother born in TN
Harl. W. Lamb, Son, M, W, 18 yrs old, Single, Can read & write, Born in TN, Father born in NC, Mother born in TN, Laborer on home farm
Hobert L. Lamb (sic), Son, M, W, 16 yrs old, Single, Can read & write, Born in TN, Father born in NC, Mother born in TN, Laborer on home farm
Ruby I. Lamb, Daughter, F, W, 6 yrs old, Single, Born in TN, Father born in NC, Mother born in TN
Ralph Lamb, Son, M, W, 3 6/12 yrs old, Single, Born in TN, Father born in NC, Mother born in TN
Elvie V.(sic) Lamb, Son, M, W, 2/12 mos old, Single, Born in TN, Father born in NC, Mother born in TN
Elbert S. Lamb, Father, M, W, 73 yrs old, Widowed, Born in TN, Father born in TN, Mother born in TN

Ed was a handsome man but had a limited education and a violent temper. When John Edward and Noda Miller Lamb lived on Upper Shut In Creek, a neighbor shot and killed Ed's dog. Ed flew into a rage and he grabbed his gun and was going to shoot his neighbor. Aunt Hester (Noda's sister, Hester Miller Swaney) and Fanny were able to stop him. "Hester used to come down to visit on the train and stay a week or so at a time. Even in 1947, Hester's husband ran a saw mill and the house was made of slabs and had a dirt floor with chickens and pigs moving in and out. (info from Buck and Joyce King) Ed started off as a farmer in the Shut In Creek area near Hot Springs.

1910 U.S. Census of Hot Springs, Madison County, NC, Roll T624)1107, ED 80, Image 266, All these neighbors are related so I've included them all together:
Pg 9B, Lines 76-82, Dwelling 181, Family 191, "Freshour, Sarn" (sic, should be Sam), Head, M(ale), W(hite), 53 yrs old, First marriage, Married 26 yrs, Born in NC, Father born in NC, Mother born in NC, Speaks English, Farmer of general farm, Owns farm free of mortgage,
Freshour, Altha, Wife, F, W, 44 yrs old, First Marriage, Married 26 yrs, Born in NC, Father born in NC, Mother born in NC, Laundress at home, Can read and write
Freshour, Mary, Daughter, F, W, 20 yrs old, Single, Born in NC, Father born in NC, Mother born in NC
Freshour, Annie, Daughter, F, W, 15 yrs old, Born in NC, Father born in NC, Mother born in NC
Freshour, Carter, Son, M, W, 13 yrs old, Born in NC, Father born in NC, Mother born in NC
Freshour, Floyd, Son, M, W, 12 yrs old, Born in NC, Father born in NC, Mother born in NC
Freshour, Lenie, Daughter, F, W, 11 yrs old, Born in NC, Father born in NC, Mother born in NC
Pg 10A, Lines 13-17, Dwelling 187, Family 197, "Harkleroad, Riley" (sic), Head, M(ale), W(hite), 38 or 28 yrs old, First marriage, Married 5 yrs (about 1905), Born in NC, Father born in VA, Mother born in NC, Speaks English, Laborer at saw mill for wages, Cannot read or write, Rents home
Harkleroad, Bessie, Wife, F, W, 25 yrs old, First marriage, Married 5 yrs, 3 children with 3 still living, Born in NC, Father born in TN, Mother born in NC, Speaks English, Can read and write
Harkleroad, Herman, Son, M, W, 4 yrs old, Born in NC, Father born in NC, Mother born in NC
Harkleroad, Ernest, Son, M, W, 2 yrs old, Born in NC, Father born in NC, Mother born in NC
Harkleroad, Infant, Daughter, F, W, 2/12 mos old, Born in NC, Father born in NC, Mother born in NC
Lines 18-20, Dwelling 188, Family 198, "Freshour, James", Head, M, W, 23 yrs old, First marriage, Married 1/12 yrs, Born in NC, Father born in NC, Mother born in NC, Speaks English, Laborer as saw mill hand for wages, Cannot read or write
Freshour, Jala (sic, should be Ida or Ada, but Ancestry.com indexed it as Jala), Wife, F, W, 24 yrs old, First marriage, Married 1/12 mos, Born in NC, Father born in NC, Mother born in NC
Freshour, Alver (sic, Ancestry.com has him indexed as Alver but may be Alven, Alvar), M,, W, 1 5/12 mos old, Born in NC, Father born in NC, Mother born in NC
Lines 21-26, Dwelling 189, Family 199, "Harkleroad, James" (sic), Head, M, W, 68 yrs old, First marriage, Married 36 yrs, Born in VA, Father born in VA, Mother born in VA, Speaks English, Farmer of general farm, Cannot read or write, Rents farm
Harkleroad, Ema, Wife, F, W, 55 yrs old, First marriage, Married 36 yrs, 9 children with 8 still living, Born in NC, Father born in NC, Mother born in NC, Can read and write
Harkleroad, Bettie, Daughter, F, W, 25 yrs old, Single, Born in NC, Father born in VA, Mother born in NC, Speaks English, Laundress at home, Can read and write
Harkleroad, Harry, Son, M, W, 19 yrs old, Single, Born in NC, Father born in VA, Mother born in NC
Harkleroad, Ben, Son, M, W, 17 yrs old, Single, Born in NC, Father born in VA, Mother born in NC
Harkleroad, Laura, Daughter, F, W, 15 yrs old, Single, Born in NC, Father born in VA, Mother born in NC
Lines 40-42, Dwelling 193, Family 203, "Harkleroad, Emet" (sic), Head, M, W, 29 yrs old, First marriage, Married 2 yrs, Born in NC, Father born in NC, Mother born in NC, Speaks English, Farmer of general farm, Owns farm free of mortgage
Harkleroad, Mera (sic, looks to me like Nora but Ancestry.com has her indexed as Mera), Wife, F, W, 24 yrs old, First marriage, Married 2 yrs, 1 child with 1 still living, Born in NC, Father born in NC, Mother born in NC
Harkleroad, Allene, Daughter, F, W, 3 yrs old, Born in NC, Father born in NC, Mother born in NC
Lines 46-50, "Lamb, John E.", Head, M, W, 27 yrs old, First marriage, Married 5 yrs, Born in NC, Father born in USA, Mother born in TN, Speaks English, Laborer for saw mill, Can read and write
Lamb, Noda, Wife, F, W, 24 yrs old, First marriage, Married 5 yrs, Born in NC, Father born in NC, Mother born in NC
Lamb, Artee M., (sic, should be Lamb, Artie M.), Daughter, F, W, 2 yrs old, Single, Born in NC, Father born in NC, Mother born in NC
Miller, Perlle (sic, should be Miller, Pearl), Daughter (this is Noda's daughter but not Ed's, but Ed raised her as his own), 6 yrs old, Born in NC, Father born in NC, Mother born in NC
Miller, Cintha, Mother-in-law, F, W, 70 yrs old, Widowed, 8 children with 6 still living, Born in NC, Father born in NC, Mother born in NC
Pg 10B, Lines53-54, Dwelling 197, Family 207, "Freshour, John T.", Head, M, W, 69 yrs old, First Marriage, Married 40 yrs, Born in NC, Father born in NC, Mother born in TN, Speaks English, Laborer as wood chopper for wages, Can read and write
Freshour, Margaret, Wife, F, W, 72 yrs old, First marriage, Married 40 yrs, Born in TB, Father born in TN, Mother born in TN, Can read and write
Lines 55-61, Dwelling 198, Family 208, "Lamb, John R.", Head, M, W, 48 yrs old, First marriage, Married 28 yrs, Born in TN, Father born in TN, Mother born in TN, Speaks English, Farmer of general farm, Can read and write, Rents farm
Lamb, Sarah J., Wife, F, W, 48 yrs old, First marriage, Married 28 yrs, 6 children with 5 still living, Born in TN, Father born in TN, Mother born in TN, Can read and write
Lamb, Maggie, Daughter, F, W, 25 yrs old, Single, Born in NC, Father born in TN, Mother born in TN, Can read and write
Lamb, Margie, Son (?), M, W, 22 yrs old, Single, Born in NC, Father born in TN, Mother born in TN, Laborer, wood chopper for wages, Can read and write
Lamb, Mannie M. (sic), Daughter, F, W, 20 yrs old, Single, Born in NC, Father born in TN, Mother born in TN, Can read and write
Lamb, Jessie, Son, M, W, 16 yrs old, Born in NC, Father born in TN, Mother born in TN, Farm Laborer on home farm
Lamb, Dortha (sic), Daughter, F, W, 12 yrs old, Born in NC, Father born in TN, Mother born in TN
Almany, Walter, Boarding, M, W, 22 yrs old, Single, Born in NC, Father born in NC, Mother born in TN, Speaks English, Farm laborer on home farm
Lines 76-77, Dwelling 201, Family 211, "Lamb, John A", Head, M, W, 49 yrs old, Second Marriage, Married 2 yrs, Born in NC, Father born in NC, Mother born in NC, Speaks English, Farmer of general farm, Owns farm free of mortgage, Cannot read or write
Lamb, Ema (sic), Wife, F, W, 50 yrs old, First marriage, Married 2 yrs, 0 children, Born in NC, Father born in NC, Mother born in NC

Geneva had a traumatic childhood. When she was only 3 years old, her mother was pregnant with their 5th child. In the late summer of 1918, their second child, Sueda, contracted the Flu. She was only 11 years old. The Spanish Flu Pandemic had started and little Sueda died August, 1918. Noda was pregnant when she contracted the Flu in January 1919. She gave birth to another girl who was named after her mother. Noda gave birth to little Noda on 1/22/1919 and Noda died 4 days later of Influenza with complications of child birth. Then Ed's mother (Nancy Margaret Melinda Ricker Lamb) died on 6/6/1919 of pulmonary tuberculosis.

NC Death certificate #21, Certificate #25235, Registration District #58-5762, Noda Vester Lamb (indexed in Ancestry.com as Nada Vister Lanet), DOD 1/26/1919 in Hot Springs, Madison County, NC
Noda Vester Lamb
Female, White, Married, DOB 11/6/1887 in Bluff, Madison County, NC, 31 yrs, 2 days old
Educational attainment: 4th grade
Father: Anderson Miller born in Madison County, NC
Mother Cyntha Hickum born in Madison County, NC
Informant: J.Ed Lamb
DOD 1/26/1919
Cause of Death: Influenza with Child Birth as contributive cause
Place of Burial: Gassett Graveyard (?) on 1/28/1919
I have a copy of her 2 death certificates (I don't know why she has 2 or why some info is different between the 2).

Unfortunately, the baby girl died within a few months on 5/15/1919.

NC Death Certificates, 1909-1975, Ancestry.com, Microfilm S.123, Rolls 19-242, 280, 313-682, 1040-1297, NC State Archives, (this is the baby that died 3 mos after Noda)
Death Certificate #79, Registration District #58-3762
Madison County, NC, Ninth township
Noda Vister Lamb
Female, White, Single, DOB Jany 22, 1919
Age 3 mos, 23 days
Born in Madison
Father J.E. Lamb (born in NC)
Mother Noda v. Miller (born in NC)
Informant J.E. Lamb or Tennelina, NC
DOD May, 15 1919
Cause of death “Don't Know”
(handwritten over this is ) “Influenza”
No place of burial is noted, no Undertaker is noted

These photos were taken in 1993 when then whole family drove up to see Madison County, NC and we located this cemetery.
L->R: Lee Alexander McMillion, William Luke Harris, Margaret Elaine Huneycutt Harris (My sister), Melinda Kathryn Huneycutt McMillion (My sister), Eleanor Elaine Reese Huneycutt (My Mother and Noda's granddaughter), Virginia "Jenny" Elaine Harris Hauser, Sharon Lynn Huneycutt Harris (Me), Photo taken in 1993
For the children, Noda was their 2 Great Grandmother

These photos were taken in 2009 when my Dad and my husband and I visited Madison County, NC again.

Ed Lamb was overcome with grief after the death of Sueda, Noda and the baby. I get the impression that he was somewhat unstable from stories told in the family. He took his family to Laurens, SC where he found a job at Watts cotton mill. He took his mother-in-law (Ance Miller had died in 1907), his 3 daughters, and Pearl/Dewey/Edna with him.

1920 Census of Davis St, Laurens, Laurens County, SC, Roll T625-1700, Image 191, ED 63, Sheet 14A, Taken 1/12/1920, Lines 23-30, Number of Farm 514, Number of Dwelling 246, Number of Family 252, “Lamb, Ed.”, Ancestry.com also has him indexed as “Lamb, Ed” (Watts Mill Village)
Ed Lamb, Head, Rent, M(ale), W(hite), 38 yrs old (DOB would have been 1882), Widower, Can read and write, Born in NC, Father born in NC, Mother born in NC, Can speak English, Carpenter, House, wages
Artie Lamb, Daughter, F, W, 11 yrs old, Single, In School, Can read and write, Born in NC, Father born in NC, Mother born in NC, No occupation
Fannie Lamb (Ancestry.com has her indexed as Lannie Lamb), F, W, 8 yrs old, Single, In school, Can read and write, Born in NC, Father born in NC, Mother born in NC, No occupation
Geneva Lamb (Ancestry.com has her indexed as Genevia Lamb), F, W, 4 10/12 yrs old, Single, Born in NC, Father born in NC, Mother born in NC
Dewey Roberts, Son-in-law, M, W, 22 yrs old, Married, Can read and write, Born in NC, Father born in NC, Mother born in NC, Can speak English, Run frames in cotton mill for wages
Pearl Roberts, Daughter, F, W, 19 yrs old, Married, Can read and write, Born in NC, Father born in NC, Mother born in NC, Can speak English, Spools in cotton mill for wages
Edna Roberts, Granddaughter, F, W, 2 2/12 yrs old, Single, Born in NC, Father born in NC, Mother born in NC
Syntha Miller, Mother, F, W, 54 yrs old (?), Widowed, Born in NC, Father born in NC, Mother born in NC

In the same mill village you find an old neighbor, Bess Freshour Harkelroad. Looking at the 1910 U.S. Census ,Bess and her husband, Riley Harkelroad, lived near Ed and Noda Lamb in Madison County, NC. They were on the same census page so they had to be very near neighbors. It seems that James Riley Harkelroad had also died of the Flu in November, 1918. Bess was left with 4 children from 13 to 2 yrs old and had also come down to Laurens.

1920 U.S. Census of Fleming Street, Laurens, Laurens County, SC, Roll T625_1700; Page: 12A; Enumeration District: 63; Image: 187, Lines 8-13, Dwelling 201, Family 207, "Harklroad, Bessie" or "Hackwood, Bessie"
Harklroad, Bessie (sic, should be Bessie Harkleroad), Head, Rents home, F(emale), W(hite), 32 yrs old, Widow, Cannot read or write, Born in NC, Father born in NC, Mother born in NC, Spools in cotton mill
Harkleroad, Herman, Son, M, W, 17 yrs old, Single, Can read & write, Born in NC, Father born in NC, Mother born in NC, Doffer in cotton mill
Harkleroad, Earnest, Son, M, W, 14 yrs old, Can read and write, Born in NC, Father born in NC, Mother born in NC, Spinner in cotton mill
Harkleroad, Myrtle, Daughter, F, W, 9 yrs old, Attends school, Can read and write, Born in NC, Father born in NC, Mother born in NC
Harkleroad, Harry, Son, M, W, 4 6/12 mos old, Born in NC, Father born in NC, Mother born in NC
Shield, Mary, Sister, F, W, 30 yrs old, Widowed, Cannot read or write, Born in NC, Father born in NC, Mother born in NC

At some point from 1920 to 1921, Ed had his 3 daughters enrolled in a boarding school in the mountains called the Dora Lynn School (or Doralyn School). I don't know if this was before or after he moved to Laurens. But Aunt Artie and Aunt Fannie thought it was an orphanage. They were terrified that someone would adopt their beautiful little sister, Geneva, and separate the 3 girls. So whenever they heard someone was coming they would grab Gennie and go hide in the fields so no one would adopt her. I heard this story from all 3 of the sisters and must have been traumatic. They had lost their mother and their father had left them. They felt abandoned, alone and desperate to stay together. These three sisters were always close and the two older girls always mothered my Grandmother and their little sister, Gennie. One of Aunt Fannie's daughters told me that Aunt Artie, Aunt Fannie and my Grandmother had smallpox when they were real young therefore some of their children had natural immunities. I never saw any pox scars on the sisters so it may have been a mild case?

Ed and Bess's marriage was a bad arrangement. Ed already had a bad temper and had suffered through the loss of his mother, his wife and his 2 daughters' deaths. He may have suffered depression and appears to have made some rash decisions. He was unstable and harsh. Bess took advantage of that and instigated trouble between Ed and the girls. It made life at home miserable for them. Ed and Bess had a son, Daniel Atkins Lamb. He was my grandmother's half brother.

While they were still in Laurens, Pearl's husband, Dewey, died of Typhoid fever in 1921. He was 25 years old and Pearl was only 19 years old with a baby girl. My grandmother and her older sisters lost their paternal grandmother (Nancy Margaret Melinda Ricker Lamb) in 1919, their mother and two sisters in 1918 and 1919, a brother-in-law in 1921, a paternal grandfather (Elbert Sevier Lamb) in 1921; had been "abandoned" at an "orphanage"; moved around; had to deal with their father and stepmother in an abusive home; and, lived through WWI, the Spanish Flu Pandemic and the Great Depression. It had to be traumatic! Their maternal grandmother (Cynthia Hickam Miller), died in 1929 in Hot Springs. Another loss.

They moved to Marion, McDowell County, NC for Ed to work at the Clinchfield cotton mill, the same mill the Reeses were working and how my Granddaddy and Grandmother met.

Artie married Clyde Bovy Johnson when she was only 14 years old in 1923. Aunt Fannie would have been 12 yrs old and my Grandmother would have been 8 yrs old. Things continued to escalate at home and Aunt Fannie took the brunt of it. Ed beat her one night with a leather strap and cracked her skull. One of Bess's own sons stood up to Ed and told him to quit and took her out on the porch. He went and got her boyfriend, Con Copeland who took her home with him. The Copelands, let her stay with them and she married Con Copeland in 1927 when she was 16 years old. This left my Grandmother alone in the house and she was only 12 years old. Her stepmother took in lodgers and she used Gennie like a servant. She attended school but had to get up early to make biscuits for the lodgers and she worked at the mill. Aunt Fannie let her stay with them often and finally let her move in with them to get her away from home.

1930 U.S. Census of Marion, McDowell County, NC, Roll 1704, Pg 13B, ED 9, Image 112.0, Lines 73-82, Dwelling 215, Family 218, "Lamb, John E."
Lamb, John E., Head, Rents home, M(ale), W(hite), 50 yrs old, Married at age 25, Born in NC, Father born in NC, Mother born in TN, Carpenter for cotton mill
Lamb, Bessie B., Wife, F, W, 46 yrs old, Married at age 20, Born in NC, Father born in NC, Mother born in NC, Proprietor of Boarding house
Lamb, Geneva, Daughter, F, W, 15 yrs old, Attends school, Can read & write, Born in NC, Father born in NC, Mother born in NC
Harkelroad, Earnest (sic), Stepson, M, W, 21 yrs old, Single, Can read & write, Born in NC, Father born in NC, Mother born in NC, Truck Driver, private for wages
Harkelroad, Myrtle, Stepdaughter, F, W, 20 yrs old, Single, Can read & write, Born in NC, Father born in NC, Mother born in NC, Spinner for cotton mill
Harkelroad, Harry, Stepson, M, W, 14 yrs old, Attends school, Can read & write, Born in NC, Father born in NC, Mother born in NC
Lamb, Daniel A., Son, M, W, 8 yrs old, Attends school, Born in NC, Father born in NC, Mother born in NC
Tucker, Jay, Boarder, M, W, 22 yrs old, Married at age 20, Born in SC, Father born in SC, Mother born in SC, Carder for cotton mill
Tucker, Colene, Boarder, F, W, 21 yrs old, Married at age 19, Born in SC, Father born in SC, Mother born in SC, Spinner in cotton mill
McSwain, Ezell, Boarder, M, W, 19 yrs old, Widowed, Married at age 18, Born in SC, Father born in SC, Mother born in SC, Doffer in cotton mill

When the Great Depression came, Gennie, had been saving her money at the bank. She had $50 in the bank when the bank closed. She begged her brother-in-law, Con, to take her to the bank to try and get her money but he had to tell her that it was no use. She was devastated. She must have been in 15-17 years old. The Depression made a deep impression on her and she was never able to shake it. She was compulsive about saving money and very thrifty almost to a fault.

This may be the first photograph of Geneva "Gennie" Margaret Lamb Reese.

Wilford and Gennie Reese
Granddaddy and Grandmother married 12/30/1933 in Marion, McDowell County, NC when she was 18 years old and W.W. was 22 years old. While working at Clinchfield Mill he was able to buy a new car.

He did attend from 1929-1930 at Mars Hill College but he was unable to graduate due to the Depression.

Granddaddy was also close to his sister, Margaret Alice Reese. She met and married Joe Edgar Young, Sr. in 1935. Granddaddy loaned them his car for them to go get married. They also stayed in one of their bedrooms. The two couples took a memorable trip to Washington, DC.
Aunt Margaret and Grandmother leaving on their trip to Washington, DC sometime in the 1930's.

Wilford William Reese and his brother-in-law, Joe Edgar Young, Sr. on their trip to Washington, DC.

They moved to Greenville, Greenville County, SC to go to work at one of the cotton mills and attend Furman University. From 1938-1941 he worked and attended Furman.
Greenville, SC about this time.

My mother was their first child. Little Eleanor Elaine Reese was born in 1938 in Greenville, Greenville County, SC.
Eleanor Elaine Reese (Huneycutt)

Eleanor's first birthday

Aunt Fannie and Uncle Con's daughter, Joanne Copeland Willis wrote this memory for me: "My first remembrance of Aunt Gennie and Uncle Wilford was when they were first married. My folks worked in the mill 1st shift...so they dropped me off at your folks place and I slept in the same bed. About the same time Mom and Dad (Fanny and Con) came back from out of town and brought my 1st tap shoes. I remember when Eleanor was born and it was freezing and they had been to our house for Christmas but had to go back to Furman. No heater in car so Mom heated hot water in qt jars to keep baby (Eleanor) warm but one burst and your Mom had a bad burn on tummy. Mabel and I stayed each summer with your folks in Greenville. They kept us. Mom and Dad still working in mill. They brought groceries every week or two. Herman had a room with your folks while going to Furman. Uncle Wilford went to Furman and got a job on 2nd shift in a mill close by. Hot as blazes he tried to open a window at the mill and his hand and arm went through (window) and he had a bad cut. He also filled in as a preacher at times. Mom and Dad made sure they had food and in turn they took care of me and Mabel. We loved being with them."

Grandmother miscarried two times and one may have been between Mother and Uncle Glenn since there were 4 years between them but I don't know for sure. The second one she miscarried while they were in Louisville, KY.

In 1941 Granddaddy took Locust Hill Baptist Church. He didn't get to finish and graduate from Furman University because World War II started. He got a deferment because he was a minister.

In 1942, their second son, Glenn Gilbert Reese, Sr. was born in Greenville, Greenville County, SC. They were at Locust Hill Baptist Church when he was born. Soon thereafter he took the Traveler's Rest Baptist Church. He was their interim pastor for awhile before moving to Louisville, KY.

They moved to their second church in Traveler's Rest in 1942. Here they are at their house in Traveler's Rest. With Baby Glenn.

In 1942-1945 they moved to Louisville, KY. Again Granddaddy wanted to get his diploma so he attended the Baptist Seminary while they lived in Louisville, KY. Mother started in the 1st grade while they lived in Louisville. Judy was born there in 1944. First they lived in a seminary apartment but then moved to an off campus apartment and finally rented a house. His sister, Margaret Alice Reese, had married Joe Young and they had Carolyn and Joe, Jr. They lived with them in Louisville at the house they rented while Joe, Sr. was in the military serving out of Fort Knox, KY. They lived with them in the off campus apartment and the house.

He preached at Pleasant Grove Baptist Church in Shepherdsville, KY while attending the Baptist Seminary. Mom said it was a little country church without indoor plumbing. They only had an outhouse. There was a log shack in the field by the church and this is where they would camp on Saturday nights. This way they could be at the church on time. They spent the day at the church and visiting people in the church and go back to Louisville on Sunday night. "1943 W.W. Reese became pastor and remained through 1945. Messengers were S.O. Armstrong, Allard Armstrong, C.E. Smith, Waldo Gentry, R.L. Wade, J.O. Ridgway and Harley Proctor. Waldo Gentry was clerk, Allard Armstrong was S.S. Sup't , Virginia Nelson was W.M.U. President. Bro. Southerland preached a revival and there were 13 professions of faith. During this year Allard Armstrong gave the church an acre of land in return for a roadway through the church property. This was the beginning of talk for a pastor's home. On Nov. 25, 1945 Bro. Reese preached his final sermon." Mom remembered one night, on the way back to Louisville, they saw a sign at a store advertising fresh bananas! She got so excited and begged her Daddy to stop and get her and Glenn some bananas. He did and they ate their fill of bananas on the way home.

As I said, their third child, Judith "Judy" Ann Reese was born in Louisville, on 12/12/1943.
Mom, Uncle Glenn, baby Judy

Again, Granddaddy had to quit the seminary before graduating. He returned to Furman for 1 semester in 1947. He never got his diploma despite years of hard work and study. And he always said that Gennie was just as educated as he was because he tried to study with her so she could learn too.

In 1946 Granddaddy took the Mt Lebanon Baptist Church. It was here that the church caught on fire one night. There was nothing they could do but watch it burn. They did get most of W.W.'s books out of his office.

Their fourth and last child was James Wilford Reese and he was born 9/14/1946 in Greenville, Greenville County, SC while they were serving at Mt. Lebanon Baptist Church.
Baby James

It was about this time that Judy contracted Polio. Grandmother's half brother, Uncle Dan, brought his wife, Eula, and their children to visit. It was while they were visiting that Aunt Judy got sick with polio and the entire household had to be quarantined for weeks. Judy was quarantined at the hospital and Granddaddy and Grandmother could go once a day and visit her through a glass. Otherwise, no one was allowed to leave the house. So it was Grandmother, Granddaddy, Uncle Dan, Aunt Eula, Wanda, Linda, Eddie, Eleanor, Glenn and James in the Mt. Lebanon parsonage.

I just can't imagine a toddler being left at the hospital for weeks, sick and quarantined. That had to be so hard on Granddaddy and Grandmother, not being able to hold her or help her. And how scared must Judy have been? Fortunately, her polio only crippled one leg. When she was allowed to come home, Grandmother had to do the muscle rehabilitation. She had to massage her legs and help her learn to walk again. My Mother felt so sorry for her little sister that she gave Judy her favorite doll. She said Judy would cry with her legs aching so bad. But she also said that Judy was always a happy child and I can attest she was always a happy, positive person in my life. She just always had a smile. And her experience motivated her to become a nurse as an adult.

Judy is holding on to baby James' chair to stand up.

Here is the doll that Mother gave Aunt Judy.

It was while they were at Mt. Lebanon that Uncle Glenn started school in a 3 room schoolhouse. It had a room for the 1st, 2nd and 3rd grade. It only had a pot belly coal stove for heat and two outhouses behind it. Mom also attended that school. He had to start a year early because his cousin, Wanda, wouldn't go without him. The school was the Jordan Elementary school and it was a white wooden schoolhouse. For water they had a well with a pump. Attached to the pump was a pipe with holes in it so as someone pumped the well, the water spirted up through the holes to form drinking holes. They had to take their own lunches and he remembers having a little metal collapsible cup.

Playing farm is my Mother, Eleanor, Glenn, Judy, James and their cousin, Mabel Copeland Barton.

1948-1949 He was Associational Missionary for Sandy Mush Association in Forest City, NC. They had their first phone here. It was they living here during breakfast one morning, that Eleanor remembers he got a call telling him that his father had died. She remembers his voice cracking.

1949-1953 Green Creek First Baptist Church, 534 Coxe Road, Columbus, Polk County, NC. This was their favorite church. The parsonage had no insulation and only had heat in one room. It had kitchen, living room, two bedrooms and a bath downstairs with steps up to two bedrooms upstairs which is where the children slept. The downstairs bedrooms were for Grandmother and Granddaddy and a guest room. Uncle Glenn and Mother remember Grandmother heating blankets near the stove downstairs and running upstairs with it to put over them as they jumped in bed. This warmed the bed until their own body heat warmed it. Granddaddy was the pastor when they built their current church building.

Green Creek First Baptist Church, Columbus, Polk County, NC

1952 He and Geneva went to the Southern Baptist Convention in Kansas City, MO.

1953-1957 East 25th Street Baptist Church, Winston-Salem, Forsyth County, NC
My Mother graduated from high school in Winston-Salem, NC. This was the family gathering for her graduation. In the back row is Geneva "Gennie" Margaret Lamb Reese, her mother-in-law Lillian Vianna Conner Reese and Eleanor Elaine Reese Huneycutt. Middle row is Judith "Judy" Ann Reese Bradley and Glenn Gilbert Reese, Sr. Front row is James Wilford Reese.

1957-1963 New Prospect First Baptist Church,9321 Highway 9, Inman, Spartanburg County, SC
Grandmother studying her Bible at the kitchen table.

Christmas in the New Prospect Baptist Church parsonage.

W.W. Reese began to have problems with his voice. Back in those days there were no sound systems, microphones and speakers. In order to be heard in the sanctuary, he had to speak loudly and it took it's toll on his voice. The doctor said he would have to leave the ministry or lose his voice altogether.

But he was middle aged and still had children at home. What was he going to do? As it turned out his sons and daughter, Judy, worked at Rainbow Lake. It was a swimming lake that was very popular during the days before air conditioning. The Zimmerman's ran the concessions at Rainbow Lake and they also had a diner in downtown Spartanburg. Mr. Zimmerman needed a manager at the downtown diner and my Aunt Judy told her Daddy about the job. So from 1963-1966, W.W and Gennie worked at Zimmerman's Diner. One of the features was handmade donuts. Granddaddy learned how to make donuts on a small scale at Zimmerman's Diner.

Then he saw an ad in the local newspaper about a woman who wanted to sell the Krispy Kreme Donut Franchise for Spartanburg. Her husband had bought it but he had passed away. Granddaddy took the offer to Mr. Zimmerman to see if he wanted to partner with him but Mr. Zimmerman already had his hands full. So Granddaddy and Grandmother bought the franchise for Spartanburg and opened up in a little store just down from Spartanburg General Hospital (know known as Spartanburg Regional Medical Center).

It did well enough for him to start building a new store in 1968.

The old store lasted a long time. But about 10 years ago, my Uncle Glenn built a newer building. This was the last day of the old store.

They invested in an automated extruding system.

This is the 3rd Krispy Kreme building in Spartanburg. And Uncle Glenn recently opened one in Anderson, SC.

The donut store did very well and my Grandparents were well off in their retirements years. They lived in a bungalow in Converse Heights on Poplar Street during the Zimmerman Diner and first KK store years.

They then moved to a new brick ranch house in a new subdivision called Beverly Woods. Then they moved to a larger brick ranch in Peach Valley. And finally they bought a large house in Converse Heights on Plume Street. While they lived on Plume Street they did some travelling too. But then one day, my Granddaddy woke up feeling funny. He was confused and unable to respond. Grandmother called the ambulance and they had to bring him out on a stretcher. My Mother and Aunt Judy were at the hospital Emergency Room and they said he rallied a little but then it happened again and he became unresponsive. He had a stroke. He lived a couple of weeks but never came back and finally died on 5/25/1979. He was only 68 years old and Grandmother was 64 years old.

My Grandmother was devastated. We had noticed that she was having some problems before he died but he evidently covered up for her too. After his death, her mental abilities deteriorated rapidly. We didn't know what was wrong because we had never heard of Alzheimmer's Disease before. But it was what she had. Eventually she had to move in with Aunt Judy and her family. Remember, Aunt Judy had become a nurse. She and her husband took care of Grandmother until she died on 7/23/1984. They are both buried at Green Creek First Baptist Church. It was their favorite place of all the churches they had served.

My Mother attended Mars Hill College and met my Dad there. She graduated from Mars Hill and they got married. She went to work and helped put him through two years at NC State to graduate. He became an engineer and worked with TVA for 10 years. Then he got the job of Civil Engineer for Spartanburg, SC and he moved us here and we've been here ever since. They had 3 girls and I'm the oldest.

Glenn graduated from Auburn University and got his Master's too. He married Janis and they had 4 wonderful children. Janis and all their children and spouses also got their college degrees and then some! Glenn is the owner of the Krispy Kreme in Spartanburg and Anderson and is a long time state Senator.

Judy graduated from college with her nursing degree and continued on in political science. She married Cecil and they had two sons who also got their college educations.

James graduated from Auburn University and got his doctorate at University of TN. He traveled the world as a professor teaching service men for the University of Maryland. Eventually he moved back to Spartanburg and became a professor at University of South Carolina Upstate. He married and had a son who is finishing college this year.

Education was very important to Granddaddy and it was passed down. But the most important thing to them was their spiritual beliefs. They believed in Jesus Christ as their Savior and spent their lives serving Him. They passed this down to us too. I was raised in a loving, supportive, Christian family who tried to live what they believed. It was real to them and it's real to me.

Grandmother would still make her own lye soap and use it for cleaning. She saved everything with the thought it could be used and "A penny saved is a penny earned". I don't mean she was a hoarder. She kept a clean house. But she was very thrifty. Sometimes it would drive me nuts but I have to admit I learned a lot from her. She sewed, knitted, cooked, canned. She was a loving and kind mother and grandmother to her children, grandchildren.

Granddaddy was such a gentle and kind man. He stood up for his beliefs but he always did it with kindness. He was so good, generous and loving. They loved their children and grandchildren. They spent so much time with their family and were always giving.

The family Christmas picture on the Christmas of 1978. The last Christmas with our Granddaddy.